The convictions of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his father, Bernard, and friend Bobby Ferguson gives us a sense that justice was served.

But sadly it's not over yet for the remaining players in the former mayor's pay-to-play scandal -- or for Detroiters.

Watch a report on the conviction on today's News at Noon.

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U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said of the 37 individuals charged in the corruption case, 32 have been convicted, five are awaiting trial and six face sentencing.

The bigger issue is the financial damage done during the eight years (2001 to 2008) that Kilpatrick was mayor. He was more interested in lining his pockets than he was in the welfare of Detroit's 700,000 residents and balancing the city budget.

The once-proud Motor City faces potential bankruptcy and anticipates appointment of an emergency financial manager -- something that would economically harm the entire region.

In 2012, the once-great city of 2.1 million had a deficit of $326 million and long-term debt of $14 billion. An EFM is needed to come in and tear up city worker contracts and balance revenue with spending at a time when half of the 700,000 still people living in Detroit aren't paying property taxes.

Of course, they don't receiving basic services and live in a world of blight, unemployment and staggering crime.

Kilpatrick, 42, was convicted on 24 felony charges including conspiracy and running a criminal enterprise. Ferguson, 44, was convicted on nine counts of extortion, and Bernard Kilpatrick, 70, on one count of filing a false tax return.

There is no time off for good behavior on a federal conviction, so both Kilpatrick and Ferguson face 20 years in prison, and perhaps more when sentenced. Kilpatrick and Ferguson were immediately incarcerated in federal prison in Milan because they were considered at risk of fleeing.

Federal officials say at least $128 million in city funds still are missing. So far, investigators have recovered $1.2 million of loot stashed by those convicted.

It also is tragic to see the promise of the rising Kilpatrick -- who spoke at the same national Democratic convention in 2004 as did President Obama -- self-destruct.

It's a shame we didn't see his real motivations back then.

As a state representative, Kilpatrick defrauded the state by directing more than $280,000 in grant money to nonprofits controlled by his wife, Carlita, and Ferguson. He used the Kilpatrick Civil Fund and the Kilpatrick for Mayor and Kilpatrick Inaugural Committee funds for personal expenses, testimony showed.

While he was mayor, there was "a criminal enterprise run out of the mayor's office," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley III.

Among those also convicted in the scandal were former City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers; Conyers aide Sam Riddle Jr.; former councilman Alonzo Bates; and Victor Mercado, ex-director of the Water Department, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Now that the five-month trial is over, Mayor Dave Bing must step up and develop a positive atmosphere to encourage businesses to return to the city.

The city and region also must focus on healing. The fallout from a Detroit bankruptcy would hurt the credit rating of the surrounding counties, including Oakland.

This entire situation was a tragedy. Now, southeastern Michigan residents must pull together and rebuild from the damage left by evil men.